Fall in Love with

CHERRY COUNTY
1-800-658-4024 www.VisitValentine.com
2014 Explore Valentine.indd 1 12/13/2013 4:01:59 PM
2 2014 Explore Valentine & Cherry County
2014 Explore Valentine.indd 2 12/13/2013 4:02:01 PM
6 2014 Explore Valentine & Cherry County
A & C Canoes
PO Box 267, Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 890-1245
Brewers Canoers
433 E. Hwy 20, Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-2046
Dryland Aquatics
101 Main St., Sparks, NE 69220
(402) 376-3119
Fritzs Island Campground
H.C. 13 Box 380, Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-3791
Graham Canoe Outftters
90173 Hatchery Road, Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-3708
of season (402) 376-3576
Heartland Elk Guest Ranch
90236 Sparks River Road, Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-2553
Little Outlaw Canoe & Tube
1005 E. Hwy 20, Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 376-1822
Niobrara River Ranch
90427 Timber Ridge Road
(402) 890-1245
Prairie River Outftters
41508 River Road
Sparks, NE 69220
(402) 376-1887
Rock Barn Camp & Outftters
H.C. 13, Sparks, NE 69220
(402) 376-1764
Rocky Ford Outftters
PO Box 3, Valentine, NE 69201
(402) 497-3479
of season (402) 376-1124
Sharps Tubes & Canoes
90048 Sparks River Road
Sparks, NE 69220
(402) 376-2506
Supertubes
2 mi. east of Valentine on Hwy 12
(402) 376-2956
Niobrara River Outftters
2014 Explore Valentine.indd 6 12/13/2013 4:02:16 PM
www.VisitValentine.com 7
Travel Times* and Distances from Cornell Bridge to:
Landmark River Mi. Road Mi. Canoe Time Drive Time
Fort Falls 1 2 15 min. 15 min.
Bufalo Bridge 3 No Access 35 min.
Berry Bridge 9 9 2 hrs. 20 min.
Allen Bridge 11 .6 14 3 hrs. 25 min.
Smith Falls State Park 12 14 3 hrs. 25 min.
Sparks 14 20 min.
Brewer Bridge 18 19 4 hrs. 30 min.
County Line Bridge 22 27 5 hrs. 40 min.
Rocky Ford 26 30 6.5 hrs. 50 min.
Egelhofs Rapids 27 32 7.25 hrs. 1 hr.
Egelhofs Narrows 30 34 7.5 hrs. 1.25 hrs.
Rock Barn 31 35 7.5 hrs. 1.25 hrs.
* tubers double canoe times
2014 Explore Valentine.indd 7 12/13/2013 4:02:18 PM
10 2014 Explore Valentine & Cherry County
The Niobrara
National Scenic River
It is the ultimate pleasure cruise. Just bring a few
snacks and let nature feed your soul as you hitch a ride on
this magical, mystical tour. When you canoe or tube on the
Niobrara National Scenic River, you will travel Nebraskas
second-fastest river, yet time stands still as you paddle on
through a paradise of awesome canyons and majestic cliffs.
Look for that chestnut brown colt who gazes longingly at
you from the pine-topped hills, hoping theres room for one
large passenger.
As you ride on past the many waterfalls, spring-fed streams
push you further onto swift waters over the bedrock and
numerous riffles, chutes and easy rapids, and you and the
eagles and hawks sail on. You can witness why Nebraskas
most popular river has been named among the top 10 canoe-
ing rivers in the United States by Backpacker magazine and
hailed as one of National Geographics top 100 adventures.
From Valentine, head east on Highway 12. Numerous
country roads lead south from the highway to the river.
Between Valentine and Norden, youll find plenty of outfit-
ters, campgrounds and boat launches. To learn more, contact
the Valentine Chamber of Commerce, (800) 658-4024, or the
National Park Service, (402) 376-1901.
All the stress of life is left behind when start your journey on the Niobrara National Scenic River. Its the ultimate pleasure cruise as you glide
past wondrous clifs, canyons and waterfalls on one of Americas top canoeing rivers. Paddle on as eagles and hawks serve as tour guides.
Nick Adams
2014 Explore Valentine.indd 10 12/13/2013 4:02:29 PM
www.VisitValentine.com 17
Fort Niobrara
National Wildlife Refuge
Five miles east of Valentine on Highway 12, Fort Niobrara
National Wildlife Refuge is home to herds of bison, elk and a prai-
rie dog town, as well as more than 230 species of birds. Because
of its location near the center of North America, the refuge is on
the fight path for many species of migratory birds. Te refuge
includes a pine-dotted canyon with nature trails and a favorite
putting-in spot for Niobrara River canoeists. A 3.5-mile driving
tour lets you view the herds up close. Just remember while near
the herds, stay in your car. A bufalo bull can weigh a ton and can
move with astonishing speed.
Near the Niobrara River, a steep, 3/4-mile nature trail descends
from an overlook site down to the base of Fort Falls, then con-
tinues to the river and circles back to the top of the canyon. Its a
strenuous hike, well-rewarded with scenery and wildlife.
As the name indicates, the refuge is the site of a frontier fort.
Fort Niobrara was active from 1879-1906 and was used as a
cavalry remount station till 1911. Long before that, however,
the grounds were home to long-jawed mastodons, giant bison
and three-toed horses. Fossils are displayed in the visitor cen-
ter, which is open 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily from Memorial Day
through Labor Day, and Monday through Friday the rest of the
year. Admission is free. (402) 376-3789.
Human visitors will see bison snuggle in delight over this wonderland. At left, a
prairie chicken is ready to dance with joy for Valentines National Wildlife Refuge.
Derrald Farnsworth-Livingston
Summer
Bison
Range
Elk Range
Winter
Bison
Range
Bison Bridge
and Wilderness Access
Elk Range
Prairie
Dog
Town
Hay Shed -
Ft. Niobrara
Military
Reservation
Cornell Dam
Corrals
Scenic Niobrara River
Overlook and Fort Falls
NIOBRARA RIVER
MINNECHADUZA CREEK
12
To Valentine
Refuge Boundary
Public Road
Wildlife Drive
Fort Falls Nature Trail
Headquarters & Visitor Center
Rest Rooms
Ft. Niobrara
NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
0 Miles 1
N
Tables
Fort Niobrara Launch Area
(Recreation Fee Station)
Ft. Niobrara Wilderness Boundary
Prairie
Forest
2014 Explore Valentine.indd 17 12/13/2013 4:03:04 PM
18 2014 Explore Valentine & Cherry County
Samuel R. McKelvie
National Forest
Only in the Sandhills would you fnd a national forest
thats mostly grass. Only 5,000 acres of Samuel R. McKelvie
National Forest are wooded with eastern red cedar, scotch, jack
and ponderosa pine. Te other 110,000 acres are Sandhills prai-
rie. Te result is stunning blend of scenery and wildlife.
Te area is open to hunting in season, ofering excellent upland
game bird hunting, waterfowl and limited deer hunting. Other
popular activities include fshing, hiking, mountain biking, cross-
country skiing and bird watching. Merritt Reservoir is nearby,
ofering a variety of water recreation. Observational blinds are
available March 15-May 31. Ranger station hours are Monday-
Friday, 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Year-round camping is available at Steer Creek Campground, a
beautiful and secluded site. Campers say the only sounds youre
likely to hear are birdsong, the occasional lowing of cattle from a
nearby herd and the whisper of a breeze through the surrounding
pines. Bluejay Trail is a one-mile loop for hikers.
Te forest is southwest of Valentine. Go 30 miles west of
Valentine on Highway 20 to Nenzel, then 18 miles south on
Highway S16-F. (402) 823-4154.
Nick Adams
2014 Explore Valentine.indd 18 12/13/2013 4:03:07 PM
www.VisitValentine.com 21
system. With modern facilities and a teacher-to-student ratio of 1
to 13 at the elementary and senior high and 1 to 14 at the middle
school, students receive plenty of individual attention. Mid-Plains
Community College ofers college-level classes locally, and Sinte
Gleska University is only 35 miles from Valentine.
To learn more about life in Valentine and Cherry County, call
us at (800) 658-4024, or visit www.VisitValentine.com.
City Parks
Valentine City Park is just outside of town on North Main
Street. Stately oak trees surround Minnechaduza Creek, which
fows through the 40-acre park. It is open year-round and ofers
camping, fshing (the creek is stocked), playgrounds, disc golf
course and hiking on more than a mile of trails.
Te parks rentable buildings include a pavilion with a full kitchen
and seating for 75-80. RV camper pads are near restrooms and free
hot-water showers.
Just across the road, Mill Pond, though not a city park, is a
small stocked lake with fshing docks and a boat ramp (electric
boat motors only).
Along Green Street in northeast Valentine, Ecology Park has
a swimming pool; the city ballfelds across the street have an RV
dump station. Trailhead Park, on south Main Street, is the trail-
head for the Cowboy Trail hike/bike path, and has a picnic shel-
ter and rentable kitchen. Adjacent to Centennial Hall at 3rd and
Macomb, Colburn Park has a picnic shelter that seats 25-30 people.
For more park information or to reserve facilities, call the city
ofce at (402) 376-2323.
The Prairie Club
Cleve Trimbles cattle ranch 17 miles south of Valentine
was once 2,500 acres along the Snake River, beneath a canopy of
pine trees. Still is, mostly. But now its also home to a good portion
of Te Prairie Club, a destination golf club inspired by Trimbles
frequent visits to the Sand Hills Golf Club in Mullen.
The Prairie Club, which opened in 2010, offers two 18-hole
courses and a 10-hole course stretched out over 1,260 acres,
with room left over to grow. Of the two championship-length
courses, the Dunes course consists of dramatic changes in
elevation, vast blow-out bunkers and breathtaking views in
all directions. Canyon views and the remains of an ancient
ponderosa forest are elements that make the Pines course
an epic experience for worldwide golfers.
Convenient to both courses is Te Prairie Club Lodge, ofer-
ing dining, a golf shop and overnight accommodations. Guests
may choose to stay at one of several four-bedroom cabins in
view of the Snake River Canyon.
Te Prairie Club will be semi-private. While preference for
lodging and tee times will go to members, one of the courses
Cherry County enchants travelers with pristine parks, camping
adventures, magical fshing creeks, real-life cowboys and a world-
class golf course. Toast the good life at Codys George Paul Vinegar.
Nick Adams, below Alan Bartels
Christopher Amundson
2014 Explore Valentine.indd 21 12/13/2013 4:11:13 PM
www.VisitValentine.com 23
2014 Explore Valentine.indd 23 12/16/2013 5:39:12 PM
www.VisitValentine.com 27
scoop up the treasures that Valentin-
ers pull out from the closets, attics and
garages for this city-wide rummage
extravaganza. (800) 658-4024.
Turtle Races and
Minnechaduza Days
July 19. These rubber turtles dont bite
like them ol snappers, and they dont
swim either. But one of them has to
win the float down Minnechaduza
Creek, and it just as well be yours. Cash
and prizes will go to the winners. Food,
games, golf and volleyball and fishing
tournaments are some of the other
summer fun activities on tap for the
celebration. (800) 658-4024.
Nebraska Star Party
July 27-Aug. 1. Gather at Merritt Res-
ervoir with a few hundred other star
gazers and youll be seeing stars, too.
The low level of light pollution in the
Sandhills makes this an event worth
seeing, through a telescope that is.
(402) 489-8197.
Cherry County Fair and Rodeo
Aug. 6-10. The 2014 Cherry County
Fair marks the 128th year of the famed
event. Celebrate cowboy culture with a
PRCA rodeo. Other fun awaits you at
the garden tractor pull, 4-wheeler pull,
art show and many more community
events. (402) 491-3502.
Old Settlers Reunion Sparks
Aug. 31. As always, the population of
tiny Sparks swells on the last Saturday
of August. This summer marks the
126th anniversary of the event. Try
your hand at the horseshoe pitching
tourney, and watch the horse races, too.
Awards will be given for the youngest
and oldest visitor, and the new Sparks
Museum will be open for tours. Cool
off with a fun float down the Niobr-
ara River. Check in at the Sparks Store.
(402) 376-3119.
Bison Roundup
Sept. 22-26. Visitors are encouraged
to observe and photograph the thun-
dering bison herd at Fort Niobrara
National Wildlife Refuge as the ani-
mals are rounded up in this much-
anticipated annual event. (402) 376-
3789.
Old West Days & Nebraska
Cowboy Poetry Gathering
Oct. Years spent on the range provide
plenty of material for our cowboy
poets. The best from the region come
to Valentine to compare verse, and
show their softer side. Other Old West
Days events include arts and crafts, a
quilt show, parade, trail ride and more.
(402) 376-2969. Call for 2014 dates.
2014 Explore Valentine.indd 27 12/13/2013 4:19:28 PM